Discover What Happened Today in History
Christopher Columbus, on his first voyage to the New World, made landfall in Cuba, believing it to be part of the Asian mainland. This event marked the beginning of Spanish exploration and colonization of the island.
The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France, was officially dedicated in New York Harbor by President Grover Cleveland. It became a universal symbol of freedom and democracy for millions of immigrants arriving in America.
The independence of Czechoslovakia from the Austro-Hungarian Empire was declared in Prague. This marked the creation of a new sovereign state following World War I.
Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was elected Pope, taking the name John XXIII. He would later convene the Second Vatican Council, which brought significant modernization to the Catholic Church.
The final section of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, was set into place, completing the 630-foot monument. It stands as the tallest arch in the world and a symbol of America's westward expansion.